Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today’s featured game is the Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks. Be sure to check out the other two sets of predictions for the earlier games.
NHL Predictions: Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks
Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks
Head To Head: Predators 0 – 0 Canucks
Our NHL Predictions should be an exciting game. Nashville is coming off one of their best efforts this season with a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames. The Predators are in this gray area where they have some solid players, but may not be a contender. Juuse Saros will probably get the start and can give the team a chance to win. Nino Niederreiter leads the way in goals with five while Mikael Granlund is top in assists with nine.
Vancouver has won three of its last four after a dreadful start. Bo Horvat is already into double digits with 10 goals and may force Canucks’ management into a decision. Elias Pettersson already had 10 assists so far for the 2022-23 campaign. The Canucks have scored at least five goals in their three recent victories this season. Expected starter Thatcher Demko has also struggled with a 1-6-1 record so far.
Nashville will want to slow the tempo in this one, but Vancouver has a new lease on life. Hopefully, Demko can benefit from this.
Prediction: Canucks win 4.3.
New Jersey Devils vs Calgary Flames
Head-to-Head: Devils 0 – 0 Flames
Are the Devils for real? These two games in four days against the Flames might go a long way to determining if the New Jersey Devils are a legit contender. The Devils are 8-3 in this young season and have won five straight games. New Jersey’s offence is scoring at a rate of four goals per game during this winning run. Jesper Bratt leads in goals (five) and assists (12) while Vitek Vanecek has found a new lease on life in the crease.
Calgary came into the season with lofty expectations but has lost three straight. Jacob Markstrom is the expected starter and will look to bounce back in this start. New acquisition Nazem Kadri leads in goals with five while Rasmus Andersson tops the assist category with six. The Flames may be struggling, but they’re capable of bouncing back.
Calgary needs a win, but New Jersey has been defying expectations. It’ll be a tight game, but the Flames find a way.
Prediction: Flames win 3-2 in overtime.
Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks
Head-to-Head: Ducks 1 – 0 Sharks
It’s the second of four meetings between the two Pacific Division foes. The Anaheim Ducks won a wild 6-5 shootout, but are going through a huge string of injuries. The Ducks have losses in three of their five games but have shown some offensive prowess. John Gibson should be the expected starter in this one for Anaheim.
Erik Karlsson has turned back the clock this season with 10 goals and eight assists, which lead the San Jose Sharks in both categories. However, San Jose has lost four of its last five. James Reimer should draw the start in this one for the Sharks.
San Jose gets the win and make sure Karlsson is in your daily fantasy lineups as well.
Prediction: Sharks win 5-3.
Florida Panthers vs Los Angeles Kings
Head-to-Head: Panthers 0 – 0 Kings
The Florida Panthers do have wins in two of the last three, including a 4-3 win over the Sharks in the last outing. Carter Verhaeghe leads the team in goals while Matthew Tkachuk has 11 assists. Sergei Bobrovsky is slated to get the start in net for the Cats.
The Los Angeles Kings have lost two straight, including a 2-1 setback to the surprising Chicago Blackhawks in the last game. Gabriel Vilardi leads in goals with eight while Kevin Fiala has 10 assists to lead in that category. Jonathan Quick is likely to start for the Kings.
Both teams have gotten off to mediocre starts despite making the Stanley Cup playoffs last year. Florida should scratch out the win in this.
Prediction: Panthers win 3-2.
Demko makes 31 saves as Canucks beat skidding Predators 3-1 https://t.co/D0rLp42coH pic.twitter.com/JGIZijHKqp
— Globe Sports (@Globe_Sports) January 19, 2022
